avondale college newsletter
Exam Success Performing Arts Sporting Highlights 2017 Issue 1
www.avcol.school.nz
From the Principal DEAR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
CONTENTS 2
From the Principal
3 RE S U LTS Top Academic Results 4 First in NZ 5 High Achievers Scholarships 6 E V E NTS Polyfest HEART Competition 7 Talent Quest Brett McGregor Evening Wearable Arts 8 Microsoft Champs 9 School Ball Speech Competition NZ Biology Olympiad 10 ST U D E NT S E R V I C E S Library Careers 11 Health Clinic Guidance 12 ST U D E NT LE AD E R S Prefects Safe School Leaders 13 D EPAR T M E NTS Commerce Drama 14 English International Maths 15 Music Outdoor Education 16 Performing Arts Academy 17 Science Taurewa Social Science 18 Innovation Programme Technology 19 CO - C U R R IC U LAR Join in @Avcol Debating Garden Club Environmental Council 20 21 22 23
SP O R T Summer Sports Athletics Day Swimming Results Winter Sports World Class Athletes
23
ALUM NI
24 N OT I C E BOA R D Key Dates 2017 Deans & DPs
We have had a very positive first half of the year and want to, once again, extend the warmest of welcomes to all families whose association with Avondale College began during terms 1 and 2. The students of Avondale College have continued to impress with their achievements in all areas so far this year. Of course the school year began with the return of record academic results from the NCEA, Scholarship and Cambridge examinations sat by our senior students last year. Further, the successes of our highest achieving students in topping New Zealand in the Cambridge International Examinations (for the fourth year running) has been a source of particular pride. Bronwen Lamb, Husna Izzuan and Nia Sky all achieved first in New Zealand results in four different Cambridge examinations. They follow on from the extraordinary achievements of previous Avondale students who have also topped New Zealand and the world in such diverse subjects as German, Physics, Psychology (twice) and Applied ICT. Beyond Avondale College we now have students who are studying at some of the world’s top academic institutions, including those who have won scholarships to Oxford, Cambridge, Amherst Universities and, more recently, two students who are now at Harvard. These successes continue to demonstrate to all who follow that they too can compete with the very best in the world and that there are no barriers or limits to their future aspirations. Of course these are not the only Avondale students to reach the heights. Many others were awarded top results in Cambridge, NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship. Significantly, these high levels of success were shared by students from all backgrounds and ethnicities; all of whom performed above national norms. We are pleased and proud of these achievements which are a credit to the students, their families and their teachers. They also reflect the supportive and aspirational climate which fosters academic excellence here at Avondale College. The outstanding results achieved by our ICT Innovation Academy students, both nationally and internationally, are also worthy of note. For four years in succession Avondale students have won all of the top positions in the New Zealand Microsoft competitions and have also secured topten world rankings in the global championships. Our students are currently preparing for this year’s Microsoft and Adobe global competitions and expect to be highly competitive! The success of our students in this area has attracted much international attention, as well as resulting in the development of collaborative relationships with major business partners such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Hewlett Packard, Xcerio, Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft. Recently
2
Paul McClean (our Director of Innovation) and I were asked to present a paper at the Certiport Conference held in the USA in June. We have since received a number of requests to trial our software and our teaching methodologies in the USA. We are already setting up further trials in New Zealand and trials with schools in the USA may well follow. On the sporting front, many individual students and teams are also making their mark, including a number of students who have been selected to represent their country across a range of codes.
Endorsed with Excellence: our top Year 11 and Year 12 students at the Scholars’ Assembly
Similarly, our music and drama students have been very busy, with awards being gained at the Tauranga Jazz Festival earlier this year and more recently a first, a second, and a highly commended for our Orchestra, Big Band and String Ensemble at the Aspire International Music Festival in Australia.
Top Academic Results
Meanwhile back at school, another generation of talented students are setting forth to match and even exceed the achievements of those who have gone before. Our 2017 prefects are working hard, both in their classrooms and in their leadership roles. Special thanks to Head Prefects Ezrah Kapeteni and Sophie Carter-Peters, the Deputies, and also the wider prefect group for all of their hard work on behalf of the school.
NCEA
With a new and demanding third term commencing, it is important to emphasise our expectation that all students should be engaging in regular, meaningful homework in all subjects. This has a significant impact on the educational outcomes for all students. We continue to enjoy the opportunity to work with you and your children to assist them in reaching the highest levels of educational achievement possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any matter in which we can further help them achieve that goal. Brent Lewis Principal
The achievement of Avondale College students in their NCEA, Cambridge and Scholarship examinations for 2016 was once again, outstanding.
Overall, our NCEA results in 2016 were higher than ever before across every level, and achievement amongst our Maori and Pasifika students continued to track well above the New Zealand average for all students. Percentage of participating students who achieved NCEA qualifications by the end of the academic year: Level 1: 94.1% Level 2: 90.8% Level 3: 88.9% This data, which was published in the New Zealand Herald in April, highlighted the fact that the percentage of Avondale College students who achieved Level 1, 2 or 3 qualifications in 2016 was not only higher than that of almost all of our neighbouring schools, but was also higher than many of the country’s topdecile rated schools.
CAMBRIDGE
In the Cambridge International Examinations (which were sat by more than one million students in over 10,000 schools worldwide last year) our results were once again excellent, and included three students who came first in New Zealand in four of their exams. Percentage of students who achieved their appropriate year level qualification (CIE): Year 11: 91% Year 12: 77% Year 13: 87%
Achieving significant individual success by coming first in New Zealand in four of their examinations were Bronwen Lamb (A Level History and Psychology); Husna Izzuan (AS Psychology); and Nia Sky (AS Business). Their outstanding scholarship was celebrated at a special awards ceremony on Wednesday 15 February at Eden Park. In addressing the awardees and their families and teachers at this ceremony, Roger Franklin-Smith, Senior Manager of CIE for New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Islands noted the impressive scale of these students’ achievements. “Your exceptional results demonstrate your academic flair, subject expertise, and also reflect the hard work you invested last year,” he said. All three of our scholars agree they did indeed invest a lot of hard work in the lead up to the exams, but all three were surprised – and delighted – to hear they had topped the country. “This was a huge achievement,” said Nia. “I just didn’t expect it!” She is now pursuing her interest in innovation and entrepreneurship at Auckland University, where she is studying accounting, commerce and law. Husna was also thrilled with her result in AS Psychology, especially as it was the first time she had taken the subject. She is now continuing with Psychology at A2 level as part of her Year 13 course. Bronwen’s two New Zealand firsts were the latest in her collection of academic accolades. Our former Head Girl came first in the world in AS Geography in 2015, gained four A* grades in all of her subjects
3
in 2016 (History: 92%; Psychology: 91%, English: 91% and Geography: 90%) and won a Top Achievers Scholarship to Auckland University where she is now studying Law and History.
U.E.
Our University Achievement rate of 64.3% was again higher than the national achievement rate.
SCHOLARSHIP
Acknowledged as New Zealand’s highest and most challenging secondary school qualification, twenty-four New Zealand Scholarships were awarded to twenty Avondale College students this year. Of particular note was the Outstanding Scholarship awarded to Natasha van Etten in Dance; Rokaya Islam (CIE Dux in 2016) was awarded three Scholarships (in Biology, Chemistry and English); and two students won two: Jingyuan Huan (Design and Design & Visual Communications); and Lenna Kunisawa (Japanese and Statistics). Significantly, three students were awarded a scholarship while still in Year 12: Anataia van Leeuwen (Geography), Danielle Twentyman (Dance) and Spring Han (Physics). For a full list of students who achieved New Zealand Scholarships, please see page 5.
First in New Zealand!
AVONDALE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS 2016
HONOURING OUR
High Achievers
Camille Balducci - French Spring Han - Physics Kate Hawkings - Design David Henry - English Jingyuan Huang - Design Jingyuan Huang - Design and Visual Communication Rokaya Islam - Biology Rokaya Islam - Chemistry Rokaya Islam - English Reuben Jenkin - Painting Melina Koch - German Lenna Kunisawa - Japanese Lenna Kunisawa - Statistics Ashton Matthee - Statistics Zephyr Melchior Edgecombe - Photography Shalom Pinto - Biology Laura Prahash - Classical Studies Gemma Rushton - Dance Teng Zhi Tang - Biology Danielle Twentyman - Dance Natasha van Etten - Dance (Outstanding) Anataia van Leeuwen - Geography Chihiro Yonemaru - Japanese Simo Zhang - Biology
Avondale’s very top scholars were honoured at a special Scholars’ Assembly in March, where they were presented with the prestigious red Scholarship badge following their outstanding achievements in last year’s New Zealand Scholarship and CIE examinations. “A highly-motivated student body is one element in the success of our Scholarship programme,” said Deputy Principal Dr Brown. “Another is the availability of experienced and knowledgeable teachers who are willing to provide tutorials in their own time, before or after school.” The families and caregivers of the students were also recognised for the significant contribution they make towards student success. “Whether it is providing the encouragement to persevere when study gets tough, or making extra trips to school for pupils to attend tutorials, or in countless other ways, it is our families who provide the bedrock upon which all of our achievement is built,” said Dr Brown.
First in New Zealand in their Cambridge exams: Husna Izzuan, Bronwen Lamb and Nia Sky
OUR TOP STUDENTS SHARE THIER SECRETS OF SUCCESS Coming first in New Zealand doesn’t happen by accident. And the three Avondale College students who topped the country in four of their Cambridge examinations last year agree that it takes a lot of hard work to get that kind of result.
Putting in a consistent amount of work throughout the year is absolutely vital, says Bronwen, who found herself hospitalised with glandular fever and tonsillitis one week before the final exams. “I still don’t know how I managed to do quite so well,” she says. Consistent independent study throughout the whole year meant that she had already revised the whole course prior to the mock exams at the end of Term 3. “Keep your notes well organised,” she says. “Don’t leave it till the last moment.”
“Ultimately, it’s up to you,” says Bronwen Lamb. Having achieved a first in the world result in AS Geography two years ago, in the latest round of exams she achieved two firsts in New Zealand (in A Level Psychology and History). “You need to rely on yourself – you are the only one who can achieve it.”
Another assembly in April honoured our high performing students who had achieved an excellence endorsement in NCEA or a Distinction award in CIE for the 2016 academic year. Students were also presented with an academic badge in recognition of their hard work and achievement.
A highly-motivated student body is one element in the success of our Scholarship programme. - DEPUTY PRINCIPAL DR BROWN
When it comes to the final revision period, make sure you’re not distracted, says Nia. “Never study on your bed! Get organised. Spread yourself out on a table or desk. And don’t have your phone next to you.”
Nia Sky, who came first in New Zealand in AS Business Studies agrees. “Don’t just rely on the teacher,” she says. “They are one of your resources, but there are a lot of others.” All three girls downloaded and practised lots of past papers before the exams. They made notes from their textbooks, gathered more information from other books, websites, and kept an eye on current events.
Make use of ‘self control’ apps suggest the girls. There are lots of apps out there that will block websites like Facebook and other social media sites to help you keep focused while you are studying. Nia uses the ‘Forest’ productivity app which encourages you to not use your cellphone - and, as an environmental bonus, during that time an actual tree is planted.
Husna Izzuan, who came first in AS Psychology despite never having taken the subject before, found watching films that explored issues of personality disorders helped with her understanding of psychology.
Ultimately, though the three high achievers agree that examination success doesn’t just happen by itself. “School gives you the tools to use to do well in the exams,” says Bronwen. “But in the end, it’s up to you.”
Nia gained a lot of insight by being involved in business-related activities outside the classroom. Her involvement in the six week YES Venture Up programme run by the Ministry of Youth Development, not only helped with the exam, but has led to her starting up her own business, Thrift It, which reduces textile wastage by upcycling T-shirts into bags and pillowcases. “It has been kind of life-changing!” she says. “You learn so much from outside experiences.”
Keep your notes well organised and don’t leave it till the last minute! - BRONWEN LAMB (TOP IN NZ PSYCHOLOGY & HISTORY)
4
5
EVENTS Polyfest
:
With more than 9000 students in 220 performance groups from 60 different schools around Auckland, Polyfest has grown to become the largest Pasifika and Maori cultural dance festival in the world. The theme for this year was celebrating leadership through culture, and Avondale College was proud to lead the way, entering a total of 13 groups - the most number of performance teams entered by a single school in Polyfest history. Approximately 420 Avondale students performed songs and dances from the Cook Islands, Fijian, Filipino, Niuean, Chinese, Samoan, Maori, Thai, Japanese, Tongan, Sri Lankan, Indian, and – for the first time, Tuvaluan cultures. Deputy Principal Lyndy Watkinson says Polyfest is very much viewed as a significant event on the school calendar. A number of the groups - Tuvaluan, Thai, Filipino and Japanese – have been set up by students wanting to celebrate their cultural identities. “They’ve come from student initiative, and engagement with the community,” she says. As the four day event unfolded, the Avondale groups shone on the Diversity and cultural stages, and a number of students also stepped up to represent themselves, their school and their culture in the speech competitions. “Whoever the students are - whether it be in the Pasifika groups or the diversity groups - it’s just about the engagement. You see the pride in the students representing their culture, their school, their families,” says Mrs Watkinson. The high expectations set by teachers and tutors for the performances are continued off the stage, with teachers and group tutors remaining tight on homework and students encouraged to remain on top of their academic work as well as committing to practices. “We know that the students who connect into it and connect into the school get better academic outcomes,” says Mrs Watkinson.
Talent Quest There’s no doubt about it: Avondale’s got talent! The final of the annual Talent Quest in May was a night to remember with instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers coming together to create a diverse and hugely entertaining evening. Returning to Avondale College this year as a judge was musician (and alumnus) Thomas Stoneman (aka Thomston). He was joined on the judging panel by vocalist, song writer and producer Cherie Mathieson, and choreographer Eloise Gantuangco. The night concluded with the highly anticipated items from the staff and prefects. Congratulations to all who made it through to the finals, and in particular to the winners: 1st Hip Hop dancer Kiahan Simons-Tipau 2nd Drummer Akhilesh Madhur 3rd BPM K-Pop Dance Crew
An evening with BRETT MCGREGOR
Avondale College’s theatre was filled with delicious aromas as Masterchef winner, author and TV presenter Brett McGregor worked his magic at a fundraising event for the Music Department’s tour to the Aspire Music Festival in Brisbane. Brett demonstrated five easy and delicious recipes from his new book, Chop Chop, including oysters with ponzu and ginger sauce; mussels with Thai dipping sauce and crispy shallots; and - a crowd favourite - roasted grapes with thyme, ricotta and grilled bread. Avondale College would like to thank Brett, his wife, Tracey, and sponsors The Village Press for putting on such a superb event! Check out more of Brett’s recipes, or purchase your own copy of Chop Chop at his website: www.brettmcgregor.co.nz
Wearable Arts
A HONEY OF AN IDEA
HEART HOME ROOM COMPETITION Given the challenge of displaying the school values in a creative, visual way, our home room classes across all levels poured heart(!) and soul into constructing some outstanding classroom displays this term.
When the search went on for Auckland’s most promising, young ‘environmentally-conscious’ fashion designers, some talented Avondale College students stepped up to the mark, with Lucy Parkinson (Year 10) winning a prize for her outfit, “A Honey of an Idea.” As part of its award-winning children’s environmental education event “Eye on Nature”, the Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust challenged schools in the Greater Auckland region to enter this year’s ‘Wearable Art’ competition. This is the second year schools outside South Auckland have been eligible to enter, and competition was fierce with first place prizes of $1,000 up for grabs.
The quality of the displays really stepped up from last year, says Deputy Principal Mrs Murphy. “As you go into the different classrooms you now look for the display. It brings the home room alive – it gives the classroom warmth, depth, mana and HEART.”
With a focus on ‘Edibles – from the ground to table’ young people were encouraged to learn and understand key messages based on the theme at the week-long Eye on Nature event.
With a pizza lunch prize up for grabs, the stakes were high. In the end, the winning display for each year level were the ones that made the judges feel “this is a home room that I’d like to be part of.”
The highly contested ‘Wearable Art – Funky Garden Art’ competition challenged students to design and create innovative, original wearable art relating to ‘from the ground to the table’. Costumes had to be durable and made of organic, recycled or inorganic materials.
Taking out the top overall prize – and the free lunch – was 11MPK (Ms Murdoch-Pike’s class in A12), whose HEART universe and planets showed originality through colour, symbols and images. “They shared their goals and wrapped them in our school values,” says Mrs Murphy. “They embraced the spirit of the competition and their home room teacher’s comments about what the home room means to her were very heart warming and a welcome addition to the display.”
Standing out from 60 other creative outfits, Lucy’s awardwinning garment (modelled by Jayla Fletcher) was based on a bee-hive construction, and incorporated flowers and bees. Lucy both reused and up-cycled a variety of materials in her outfit.
6
‘A Honey of an Idea’ - Designed by Lucy Parkinson and modelled by Jayla Fletcher
Nga Manu Korero
SPEECH COMPETITION Many hours of preparation paid off for Myah Eketone who placed 2nd in the Tā Turi Kara - Junior English section at the Ngā Manu Kōrero ki Waitematā competition. Myah spoke with passion and eloquence about why Māori performing arts should become an NCEA accredited subject.
Microsoft and Adobe World Champs
Six hundred and fifty gorgeously dressed students and staff enjoyed an enchanted evening at Eden Park on Saturday 17 June. The dance floor was non-stop and full all night, thanks to the superb efforts of the DJ (and former student) Jan Holland. With theming by Eventz and photography by Cactus Photography, it was a night to remember! Special thanks to Mr Dewsnap and Mrs Davis for their wonderful organisation of this event.
AVONDALE’S NZ TEAM PREPARES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITION
Open to students aged between 13 and 22, the global competition tests students’ skills in Microsoft Office and Adobe applications, with cash prizes for those who manage to obtain the highest scores in the fastest times. Last year the competition attracted more than 700,000 contestants from 121 countries. Representing New Zealand (and Avondale College) at the 2017 World Championship will be: Evan Ng (Year 12) - Microsoft Word 2013 Shrey Tailor (Year 12) - Microsoft Excel 2013 Sebastian Thomas (Year 11) - Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Christopher Tang (Year 10) Microsoft Word 2016 Ed Allison (Year 10) - Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Rita Zhong (Year 11) - Adobe Photoshop
BIANCA WINS PLACE IN NZ TEAM
Also joining them will be Avondale alumnus and Innovation Programme intern, Jayden Cooke, in Microsoft Excel 2016. All seven finalists have been involved with Avondale College’s ground-breaking Innovation Programme, in which students work on real world projects while achieving MOS and Adobe certifications and NCEA and Cambridge qualifications along the way.
Year 13 student Bianca Craill is on her way to the University of Warwick (England) in July, after being selected for the New Zealand team to compete at the International Biology Olympiad. With only four places available in the team, the nationwide competition was fierce and the selection process rigorous.
Avondale College has an impressive record in the worldwide competition, with eight top-ten results in four years, including a silver and a bronze medal.
Over the previous eight months, Bianca successfully completed on-line tutorial assignments and multiple rounds of examinations, culminating in her being chosen for the annual New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) selection and training camp. During the nine day programme which hosted academics from Waikato, Otago, Massey and Auckland Universities, Bianca outranked her peers in both practical and theoretical tests to place amongst the top four biology students in the country.
Hopes are high that this group will go even further in 2017. “These students are the youngest and most high performing group ever,” says Brent Lewis, Principal of Avondale College. “They have yet to be coached in any way for their tests, so their potential for success at the international level is exciting!” The World Championship runs from 30 July to 2 August.
These students are the youngest and most high performing group ever!
If this sounds like something you’re keen to try then go to www.nzibo.org to learn more about the selection process and the online tutorial programme. Registrations close on 5 August so make sure you see Mr Shawn Cooper well before this date if you think you would be interested!
It was an amazing experience, said Bianca. “I also really enjoyed getting to know the other students from all over the country who share this passion for biology.” Bianca’s selection to the New Zealand team highlights once again the superb success Avondale College students have achieved in this competition - she is the third Avcol biologist to represent her country in this international competition in the past four years.
9
8
- MR LEWIS, PRINCIPAL
Ko te kai a te rangatira, ko te kupu The food of a leader is words
International Biology Olympiad
Avondale College students have once again beaten over half a million global contestants to qualify for the world finals of the Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship and the Adobe Certified Associate Championship being held in the USA at the end of July. After a clean sweep of the national finals, seven of our students will head to Anaheim, California to represent New Zealand/ Australasia in the world finals.
Ka tuku ngā tai o mihi ki a koe e hine, kia kōrua hoki Paige Korina, Taeao Delamere i whakapau kaha ana ki te tū rangatira i mua i te minenga. E kore ngā mihi e maroke e te rā.
Library
BOOK CHAT If there’s one thing librarians enjoy as much as reading books, it’s talking about books – and this year the library has been filled with literary conversations! Year 12 English students – all 600 of them - have been selecting and reading two extended texts for an English assessment. This has created some great conversations with students about books, reading, themes, connections, interpretations, ideas and interests. Librarian Elizabeth Atkinson says her team has also enjoyed meeting the new Year 9 students and introducing the library and its collections to them. “Whether discovering new authors or finding much loved favourite titles, it is great to see our students excited about reading and sharing their enthusiasm with students and staff,” she says. Recommendations to purchase titles are always appreciated and the first parcel of student recommended books has just arrived. These will be available shortly, and may be reserved by students if they wish.
Careers Parents, please remember we always welcome enquires from you regarding your child’s future direction. Careers Counsellors can be contacted on the following numbers: Jacqui Birkhead Ph 820 1729 Judith Johnson Ph 828 7024 Ext 556 Jo Thomson Ph 828 7024 Ext 558 Melissa Lee, Gateway Coordinator Ext 509
Health Clinic staff: Heather Playle (nurse), Karen Alderson (physio), Hannah Normington (nurse) and Donna Devlin (admin)
Health Clinic Caring for a community as large as Avondale College takes quite some doing – especially when you consider we have more inhabitants on site during the day than the entire town of Arrowtown! Fortunately for us, though, we have a superb team of two nurses and a physiotherapist on hand to take care of any medical mishaps or care needs that arise during school hours.
clinic (09) 820 1718 or (021) 847 949. This will greatly assist our school in planning how best to support your child’s health and wellbeing.
Located in the Transverse Corridor, opposite the library, our team welcomes information from parents about their child’s health, even if specific support is not being requested from our school. The College asks for medical information on enrolment and it is important to let us know if your child’s health care needs change, or if a new health condition develops.
PHYSIO
YEAR 13 INTERVIEWS
Gateway student Solomona Saufoi at SO Renovate
We also have a physio in the Health Clinic who is available to students between Monday to Friday 9am-2pm. If your child needs treatment they can make appointments in the Health Clinic waiting room. There is no charge for injury covered by ACC (ACC forms can be completed at the school Health Clinic if not already seen by a doctor). Our Physio can also treat private or non-ACC injuries as well, but there is a charge for this. Our Physio is also happy to do sports strapping before games, with a $2 charge to cover the cost of tape.
Information about allergies, medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and other health care related issues (including prior conditions such as medical procedures in the last 12 months) should be provided to the school by parents. Please email the nurses (nurses@avcol.school.nz), or phone the Avondale College
Please visit our pages on the school intranet site where we outline key exciting upcoming career events.
We see all Year 13 students at least once during the year with the aim of clarifying their future direction and goals. The interviews have already started. Other appointments can be made at the Careers room or by contacting us on the above numbers.
Please also remember to notify staff in the school office of any changes to your contact details, or those of the person nominated as an emergency contact.
Guidance Our friendly team of four counsellors all have post-graduate counselling qualifications and are members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. We abide by the Code of Ethics of this association which means that confidentiality is maintained unless there is an imminent risk to safety.
Gateway student Jaylee Samu at the Grey Lynn ANZ
IMPORTANT DIARY NOTE! Pathways Planning Evening Wednesday 26th July 2017 3.30pm – 6.30pm Avondale College Theatre
Following on from our Term 1 Pacific Island and Maori Tertiary Career Evenings we have our school’s annual career expo. It is an opportunity for parents and Year 9-12 students to get assistance with subject choices for 2018. Liaison staff from tertiary institutions and ITO’s will be present to ensure students select the right subjects for preferred tertiary courses. Year 12 and 13 students moving on to tertiary study next year will also be able to get course information to assist them in their decision making.
10
J. Birkhead Director of Careers
Our counsellors are located in the Deans Corridor, adjacent to the Health Clinic. To make an appointment to see a counsellor, students can drop into the counselling area at the start of the day (between 8.00 and 8.45), at interval or lunchtime to make an appointment with a counsellor of their choice. An appointment box with slips is located just inside the door of the waiting room. The department is also open during the lunch hour. Students are also welcome to email us directly.
Guidance Counsellors: Mrs Sinisia, Mr Tai, Mr McMillan, Ms Jennings
When you’re having a tough time, sometimes it just helps to have someone to talk to!
Parents are also welcome to make appointments on behalf of their child by phone or email.
- MR JIN TAI, DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE
11
Commerce Year 11 Business Studies students have had the opportunity to put their theory into practice with several lunch time market days. Given the task of preparing food products for sale, the two classes of students were put into small business teams with allocated roles including CEO, finance and production. Market research was undertaken to gauge demand for their products, and teams then took a business risk in covering the costs of developing their products in the lead up to the Market Day. Their hard work and planning certainly paid off, with a variety of food products such as brownies, pancakes, cookie pops and fudge being sold to an appreciative customer base of Avondale students. Business Studies teacher Jeff Thompson said that the realworld experience for the students has been an invaluable one. “The teams have been working hard to make it a success for themselves and their customers.”
STUDENT LEADERS
Taking the Lead
A percentage of the students’ profits was donated to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Senior students furthered their performance experience with the production of two plays: Eating the Wolf by Sarah Delahunty, and Pip Hall’s Shudder on on 5 July.
Drama
SAFE SCHOOL LEADERS
Avondale College is fortunate to have a number of superb student leaders who have been appointed to positions of responsibility this year. We congratulate each student leader for their selection and for the recognition that this demonstrates of their embodiment of the school values of Honesty, Endeavour, Atawhai, Respect and Tenacity.
PREFECTS
Forty-nine outstanding Year 13 Prefects have been appointed to represent Avondale College in a number of responsibilities and school leadership tasks for 2017. Each Year 9 home room class is assigned two prefects, who ensure each student new to the school feels connected and at home at Avondale College. PREFECTS 2017: Milson Beckmannflay, Paddy Brebnar, Taja Canlas, Sophie Carter-Peters, Josh Colavanua, Ruby Coombes, Raphael Cruz, Zill Darji, Una Dubbelt-Leitch, Cullen Erson, Gabrielle Fa’amausili, Billy Faraimo, Molly Flynn, Brianna Gleeson, Venessa Ho, Nadia Irawan, Gina Johansson, Ezrah Kapeteni, Luseane Kauvaka, Akhio Kawamura, Ju-an Kim, Vishnu Koilkandadai, Vera Kwon, Bella Langlois, Shereen Lee, Ulimasao Lemusu, Israel Levi, Ashley Lim, Siaosi Lolohea, Cassey Mansson, Daejah McMahon, Nicholas Narayan, Kennedy Nikolaison, David Officer, Bhavik Patel, Minh Phu Lai, James Poss, Liam Robertson, Kryn Saithong, Jaylee Samu, Mika Seltner-Jones, Finn Stoneman, Jack Stoneman, Ahad Sulaiman, Alofa Tasi, Katelyn Tasker, Nina Tollemache, Neil Uy, Roy Van Leeuwen, Losena Vea, Jimmy Whiting, Rosealee Wilson, Jackie Young, Angela Zhong. Head Boy: Ezrah Kapeteni, Head Girl: Sophie Carter-Peters, Deputies: Nicholas Narayan, Mika Seltner-Jones, Vishnu Koilkandadai, Ruby Coombes, Venessa Ho, Alofa Tasi.
12
The Avondale College Safe School Leaders are a friendly, hardworking bunch who are committed to creating and providing a safe school environment for all our students.
It may be 400 years since Shakespeare was around but his works are still alive and well! Latest proof of this came in April when 28 of our students represented Avondale College at the 2017 SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.
Chosen by Deans and Guidance staff for their strong personal characteristics of determination and reliability, they have received training from the Guidance Department in conflict resolution and are equipped with strategies for reducing incidents of bullying.
During the Regional Festival, students are encouraged to engage with Shakespeare’s plays by performing 5-minute and 15-minute excerpts from them. Avondale College put forward three 15-minute scenes and one 5-minute scene.
Our friendly Safe School Leaders are rostered on duty at lunchtimes, and are easily identifiable by their bright orange badges.
Miss Newlands, Head of Drama at Avondale College directed two of the 15-minute scenes. The first of these was the induction scenes which reveal the play-within-a-play structure in The Taming of the Shrew. This piece had fifteen student actors ranging from Years 9 -13. The second was a compilation of the funniest moments in Twelfth Night and was performed admirably by seven Year 10 Performing Arts Academy students.
Safe School Leaders 2017: Jeff Alosio Matiasi, Maddison Amituanai, Paea Filimoehala, Luseane Kauvaka, Esther Kim, Shereen Lee, Israel Levi, Jaria Manase, Cheala Masae, Cate McIntosh, Nicholas Narayan, Bhavik Patel, Alana Rae, Perosi Roma, Geniqua Samupo, Christyanna Saufoi, Saisha Shahi, Annie Shuang, Julie Toimoana, Tasi Vaili, Losena Vea, Anna Wachter, Gemma Walsh, Jasmine Wight, Ashellyn Xavier, Angela Zhong.
Head Girl Sophie Carter-Peters and Simon Escobar Caballero (Year 13) then performed their self-directed interpretation of ‘the wooing scene,’ also from The Taming of the Shrew. We were also delighted to have Avondale College alumna and member of the Young Shakespeare Company travelling to London, Sammie Rae, come and direct six Year 11 students in a very strong reinterpretation of all the tricky moments of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Our students did incredibly well, says Miss Newlands. “The preparation for this event and the evening of performance was a great celebration of Shakespeare’s text and an awesome opportunity for our students to experience this aspect of the Performing Arts.”
13
Maths Around 60 juniors put their practical mathematical skills to the test as they took up the challenge of building a weight-bearing bridge using only skewers, glue and tape! Teachers-in-charge, Ms Zhou and Mr Daniels said the teams showed creativity, thoughtfulness and cooperation in coming up with their designs. The following week the bridges were tested to breaking point - with the following teams receiving top honours: 1st: 10kg - Christopher Tang, Roshni Oberoi and Xin Yang Liu 2nd: 7.3kg: Tommy Ong, Rohan Sharma and Arc Porcioncula 3rd: 6.8kg: Julie Jeong, Abigail Shin-Kelso and Melody Cao These three teams will now go on to the Auckland-wide Aurecon Bridge Building Competition to be held later in the year.
Music
English students attending Othello at the Pop-Up Globe
CONCERTS & COMPETITIONS
English Epic battles. Dazzling special effects. Elaborate costumes. Spectacular dances. Sword fights in full suits of armour. With the return of Auckland’s Pop-up Globe this year, a group of Level 3 English students were lucky enough to get the full Shakespeare experience at a performance of the tragedy, Othello, on 14 March. It was a superb performance, with a little touch of Kiwi in it. The students were delighted to see the studied text come to life, a bit horrified by the amount of blood and thrilled to meet some of the actors afterwards. Positioned in the groundlings area meant standing for two and a half hours, but the students were right in the middle of the action, with actors moving through the crowd. It was a wonderful way to experience the text coming to life!
It was a wonderful way to experience the text coming to life! - MRS SHARON COPE, DIRECTOR OF ENGLISH
International DEPARTMENT
Avondale College’s International Department began the year by welcoming 168 students from 29 different countries to our school! Of these, 68 students were new to the college, with the remainder having already begun their studies here last year. We were delighted to congratulate two of our International students who were awarded New Zealand Scholarships following last year’s examinations: Chihiro Yonemaru in Japanese and Melina Koch in German. We were also pleased to congratulate 22 of our students who received endorsements with merit and excellence in their Level 1 and 2 courses! This year our International prefects are Akiho Kawamura from Japan and Minh Phu (Jack) Lai from Vietnam and they are doing a fine job in leading the international student body.
14
Further highlights from the first half of the year have included trips to the Bay of Islands and Hobbiton, where students thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the sights and sounds of New Zealand (and Middle Earth!).
The Music Department has packed a huge number of events into the first half of the year, with lessons, rehearsals, tours and musical presentations culminating in competition success at both the Tauranga Jazz Festival and the Aspire International Youth Music Festival in Australia. Each year the popularity of our extensive itinerant music lesson programme grows, and it was fantastic to begin the year with so many Avondale College students taking the opportunity to learn one of the many instruments on offer. Nearly 300 students are taking part in these weekly lessons – around 10% of the school! Our accomplished jazz and 13MUS students have once again been in demand at a variety of community events, including the Kauri Karnival and the New Lynn Night Markets. The first term concluded with the much-anticipated Tauranga Jazz Festival held at the Baycourt Theatre over Easter. Despite a delayed start due to Cyclone Cook, our Big Band and two Jazz
Combos performed superbly, winning a gold award (Avondale Jazz Combo) and two silver awards (Big Band and Blue Note Combo). Particular congratulations go to Kiara Fernandes who won the award for the best vocalist, and to James Poss who won the award for the best guitarist. These are astonishing achievements given the calibre of the students performing at this national event, and we warmly congratulate James, Kiara, and teacherin-charge Mr Robinson for achieving such outstanding success. On the classical front, our Symphony Orchestra and String Ensemble have been hard at work under Mr Stenbo’s direction, as they prepared for their exciting trip to the Aspire International Music Festival held in Brisbane during the Term 2/3 holidays. Also joining them was the Avondale College Big Band. This was a hugely successful trip, with our Symphony Orchestra being awarded first place in the international competition, our Big Band a second place, and our String Ensemble a Highly Commended award.
Outdoor EDUCATION Outdoor skills. Leadership skills. Problem solving and more - Avondale College’s Outdoor Education programme is providing challenge and training in a classroom without walls! The leadership skills of 38 of our Year 12 and 13 Outdoor Education students were brought to the fore in March as they led an amazing Camp Castaway for our neighbouring school, Avondale Intermediate. One hundred and twenty students from Years 7 and 8 took part in the pirate themed camp, which was held at Shakespear Regional Park. Led by Director of Outdoor Education, Mr Hemera, our Year 13 students planned a host of fun activities including raft building, snorkelling, problem solving, team building and more. The Year 12 students were the group leaders, and did a superb job in looking after their younger ‘buddies’ as they encouraged them and supported through their activities. “I was just so proud of them,” said Mr Hemera. “They worked so hard!” The Year 12 and 13 OED students have also been honing their kayaking skills at the new Vector Wero white-water stadium in Manakau. The Year 12’s have been working hard on their rolling and kayaking ability, while the Year 13’s made the most of the training for their exciting white water trip to Taupo.
Performing
ARTS ACADEMY The Performing Arts Academy has had a great start to 2017. Students are working to build their performance skills, confidence and creativity across the four strands of our programme. Their progress was clear to all who attended the superb performance evening held at the end of Term 2.
CLASSICAL ACADEMY
The Classical strand has begun extremely well, with students working hard in their lessons. The numbers continue to rise, with 17 students immersing themselves in new ensembles (for example, chamber music groups).
DANCE ACADEMY
All 52 of the Dance strand students are excited to be working toward New Zealand Academy of Modern Dance examinations. For the first half of Term 1 the students enjoyed working collaboratively in technique classes in a wide range of genres. The teachers led students through workshops in dance techniques and practices appropriate to the Contemporary, Jazz and Hip-Hop styles. Students also took part in dance conditioning classes and choreographic activities. In Week 7, students split into three ‘teams’ and began their learning toward an examination in Contemporary dance (level two or three) or Hip-Hop (level four). Our sharing session in Week 11 was a highlight of the term – where the students got to strut their stuff for the other teams and demonstrate their learning in an examination ‘dress-rehearsal’. We look forward to performing more of these examination pieces to invited parents in the near future.
DRAMA ACADEMY
The Drama strand students have had a fantastic and enjoyable start to the year. This year, as something new, the Year 9 and the Year 10 groups have been working together on a joint project where we have been dramatising The Cat in the Hat by Dr Suess. This short, energetic work was performed at the showcase evening at the end of Term 2.
JAZZ ACADEMY
The Jazz strand students have had a productive start to 2017. The instrumental students have enjoyed mastering the 12 bar blues form, Latin jazz and swing charts. Vocal students have covered contemporary and jazz standards with a strong focus on harmony. A highlight has been working with Roger Manins (Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries at the University of Auckland). Students also enjoyed taking to the stage to perform for parents in the Performing Arts Academy showcase evening - and they are looking forward to more performance opportunities in the second half of the year.
Taurewa Science Students have been working hard both inside and outside the Science laboratories this year! Eighty Avondale students from 13SCI and 13SCC particularly enjoyed travelling with their teachers to Maori Bay for an Earth and Space Science field trip. The beach, near Muriwai, is well known for the striking rock face that has resulted from the eruption of a huge volcano millions of years ago in Waitakere. The students were using this trip as a way to gather evidence about the eruption, and learning to “tell the story” of how the rock face was formed. With amazing weather and expert teachers, the students gained invaluable information for their upcoming assessment, as well as learning about how this part of New Zealand was formed million years of years ago. The students finished off the day with a walk around the gannet colony.
Social Science GEOGRAPHY
Level 3 Geographers had a stimulating day outside the classroom in March, with their field trip to Muriwai Beach. There students spent time collecting data to complete their five credit research project on the natural processes operating in the area.
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
A Year 12 Travel and Tourism class had the privilege of visiting the International Travel College of New Zealand to complete a short course about customer service. The students had a great time learning about how to provide great customer service and they then got to practise their skills with some role plays.
16
Technology CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETITIONS & INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS Avondale College’s Innovation Programme continues to go from strength to strength. From just 23 students in 2014, there are now nearly 700 participants making the most of intimetable, before school, weekend and holiday programmes to enhance their ICT skills as they work on a whole range of real-world projects – and not just in ICT! With huge interest in the Innovation Programme, many other students are arriving from other subjects to scoop up the opportunities from what is being termed a “disruptive” programme. Collectively, they have worked towards gaining a vast number of industry qualifications this year across an expanded portfolio of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Technology Associate, IC3 (an international digital literacy qualification), Adobe and Autodesk qualifications – with several new gamechanging qualifications on the horizon. As a result, Avondale College is now New Zealand’s leading and most successful provider of industry qualifications – with over 1500 qualifications earned in two terms of this year so far – nearly double last year’s entire record breaking total!
Every day of the week Technology students can be found designing, creating and refining their projects using the latest computer software, 3D laser printers, sewing machines, hard materials, culinary and engineering equipment. Upstairs, students have been learning barista skills in the café area and concocting delicious creations in the Food Technology classrooms. The importance of eating a healthy breakfast as part of a balanced diet is an idea that our Level One Food Technology students have been taking very seriously. Students in Miss Wood’s class were tasked with designing a nutritious, exciting breakfast for children between the ages of 5-12 from a list of ingredients commonly found within the family budget. Stakeholder feedback was then gathered from students in the Avondale Intermediate Tongan Cultural group, who were invited to taste the food and to give realistic feedback on the breakfast dish that had been created. It was a very successful afternoon and a great chance for the intermediate school to see all the fantastic things happening in Food Technology at Avondale College.
co-curricular Joining in @ AVCOL Budding Shakespearean actors, philosophers, debaters, gardeners, indoor bowlers, musicans, dancers and more all had the chance to find their niche at the Join in @ Avcol event held in the Atrium in the first week of term. Hundreds of students took the opportunity to find out more about the many activities on offer here at Avondale, and with more than 38 stalls (not including the many sports groups!) there was something to appeal to everyone.
Debating The art of debating is a duel of wits in which participants must exercise their weapons of logic and reasoning to build up their own argument while tearing down that of their opposition. Our keen group of junior and senior debators have been developing these skills this year as part of the Auckland Schools Debating competition, sponsored by Russell McVeagh.
Competition has also been fierce amongst the Innovation Programme students to qualify for the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships being held in the USA in July and, for the fourth year running, Avondale College dominated the national finals, with all contestants coming from our school. After also winning the Adobe national competition, six current students and one Innovation Programme intern will be heading to California to compete against the world’s best university, post-secondary and high school entrants. We wish them all the best! The implementation of our state-of-the-art data centre has enabled us to share our technology, IP and certification provision with a number of other schools, and we were delighted to welcome 54 participants from five of our neighbouring intermediate schools to a special two-day digital immersion programme during the first week of the holidays. By the end of the two day programme, 51 industrylevel certifications were gained – this was a superb result from a highly motivated group of ten and eleven year olds! The success of our programme continues to attract widespread interest from industry stakeholders, as well as Ministry of Education and government officials both here and abroad. This has led to a number of partnership and speaking opportunities, and we are excited about the phenomenal range of new prospects that are arising for our students as a result!
Environmental COUNCIL
Garden CLUB That freshly-picked carrots taste better than any other kind is something our Garden Club enthusiasts are discovering for themselves! A keen group of students meet on Tuesday lunchtimes under the expert eye of Mr Norton to plant, weed and reap the tasty benefits of their hard work in the garden!
Avondale College’s Environmental Council is working hard to not only raise awareness of environmental issues, but also to put their ideals into practice with a number of hands-on initiatives this year. A keen group met at North Piha on 26 March to spend time combing the beach and dunes for rubbish. Led by Mrs Lamb, Mr Stephens and Ms Visser, the group collected a huge pile of debris, including rope, socks and other clothing, jandals, plastic bags and 15 bottles of beer (one full!). The clean up event started off the Environmental Council’s campaign to raise awareness at Avondale College around our rubbish and where it ends up if not disposed of properly. A home room lesson addressed the issue of litter in school and a range of lunchtime activities were organised to highlight the use of plastics in our every day lives. Students enjoyed these sessions, which included making their own natural facial scrubs – free of microbeads – using ingredients such as sugar, vanilla and honey, and creating carry bags out of old T-Shirts. The Environmental Council also had a productive day on Motutapu Island in June where they participated in a treeplanting exercise organised by the Motutupu Trust. Our students did a fantastic job, and over 1000 new trees, planted by the end of the day!
19
18
Sporting Overview Avondale College’s sporting year began with gusto, with the Sports Day, the Athletics Championships and Swimming Carnival all taking place in the first few weeks of the first term. The Sports Day was its usual mix of colour and enthusiasm, with a wide range of sporting endeavour shown in the morning rotations of running, jumping and throwing. The Year 9s turned up the volume to provide real excitement in the afternoon, with 9NOR winning a thrilling inter-homeroom relay competition. At Mount Smart Stadium, for the second year running, a large group took part in the college championships in the customary glorious weather as they experienced a top class venue and real life athletics competition. Our top athletes (Dylan Jenkinson, Mika SeltnerJones, Faith Faumui, Renee Fowler and Maclani Michael amongst them) showed their real quality in preparation for the Zone and Auckland Championships. We also got our first glimpse of a potential star in the making: Year 9 student Joanna Poland who, whilst diminutive in stature, displays a real talent for middle distance running and incredible strength of character that not only saw her win through at College and Western Zone levels, but also saw her
SUMMER 2017
end up as double Auckland champion at 800 and 1500 metres. Joanna then went on to win a gold medal at the North Island Championships in Taranaki. A fine showing in the Auckland Cross Country saw Joanna represent Avondale College at the national championships, where she placed a very creditable fourth in the Year 9 girls race. Our Swimming Carnival returned with a splash this year and it was great to see so many students enjoying the fun event (many for the first time), as well as getting the opportunity to see all of our very top swimmers in close up competitive action. I know in the future many will be proud to say that they actually saw some of our star turns in action, with the likes of our World Junior Champion Gabrielle Fa’amausili and multiple national age group champions Ikko Shibuya and Lucy Makaea serving up master classes with their total involvement in the programme. It was also great to see so many giving it their best shot no matter what level of expertise. The summer sports were quickly in full flight, with our cricketers in action in the first weekend of term at all levels. The 1st XI (run by our volunteer coach Mr A Smilie and assisted by former student Wynand
Classens) were making their assault in an attempt to win back their premier status in a very competitive section. That they made the final four was a great credit to the group, but a heart-breaking loss in the semi-final (where they tied with Rangitoto in their 50 overs and agonisingly lost a sudden death bowl-off ) consigned them to a play off for third and fourth place. During the season the highlights would be the sparkling 145 against Liston from Kevin Gattu, as well as five wicket hauls from Aidan Carey and a four wicket haul for Jay Patel (who was the second highest wicket taker all term as a Year 10 and whose effort contained that very rare and much sought after hat trick!). Our volleyball teams as always were fully involved with the Zone champs and we had two teams in both the boys and girls competition, which is very encouraging. The boys, who had a strong zone competition, carried their form into the Auckland champs and lost a stirring final of the Division 2 competition. This did not diminish the great strides they have made under the auspices of Mr Cooper. Girls volleyball, led by Ms Whiu, continues to grow in popularity and strength. The girls showed glimpses of great control in their games but just
Sports DAY This much-anticipated annual event is one of the highlights of the beginning of the school year, and 2017 was no exception with a tremendous show of school spirit on display throughout the day. The Year 13 students led the way with their creative costumes and lots of fun was had with inter-class competitions in the sack races and three legged events, as well as in the more traditional events such as sprint races, long jump, high jump, shot put and discus… The day concluded with the homeroom class relays, and the final event (the prefect/teacher relay) was a closely contested race won by… the teachers!
20
lacked the consistency to make more of an impression on the seedings in the Auckland championship. It was good to see the boys and girls back playing tennis on our new courts and both had real success in their grades. Our top boys pairing of Leo Cekus and Akash Ashok was a successful one, as seen by their performance in the Champ of Champs tournament. We entered a mixed touch team for the first time in many years, and this group was the most successful of our summer sports teams. They gained valuable experience under the guidance of Mr Went and we wait to see how they progress, especially as they have Year 11 and 12 students who still have time to develop. Our boys and girls teams also continue to play and we are looking to keep a large group playing in this traditional summer football code. The summer code that made the biggest impact, however, was tag football. Having established a strong winning culture amongst the girls, it was good to see both the boys and girls launch a strong campaign for the Zone champs in an attempt to qualify for the Auckland finals. Our girls maintained their incredible record under the auspices of
long time coaches Mr John and Mrs Sue Sekene by winning every game at the zones and actually conceding points in just one game, which was the semi final. A comfortable 3-0 win in the final game ensured they would be strong representatives in the Auckland finals. The boys, a very young team with new coach Kevin Ah Chen, had a very promising tournament and just finished outside the top four qualifying places, finally finishing 6th after narrowly losing their final qualifying placing match against Massey. Our softball girls continue to show promise, with some very enthusiastic students ensuring the sport continues to run. It was great to see our Water Polo team in the water once again, with assistance by volunteer parent Mrs Milne and inspiration from Adam Milne (our current New Zealand representative water polo player) as well as valuable input from coach and former player at Avondale, Cisco Van Rijk. With a good mix of junior and senior students, they have had a promising season.
Swimming Results AVONDALE COLLEGE SWIMMING GALA 100m Freestyle Junior Girls Vienna Samuels 1st | Grace King 2nd | Emma Boyes 3rd 100m Freestyle Junior Boys Noah Makaea 1st | Alexander Schreiner 2nd | Jakob Grunwell 3rd 100m Freestyle Intermediate Girls Jordan Phillips 1st 100m Freestyle Senior Girls Gabrielle Fa’amausili 1st | Lucy Makaea 2nd | Jackie Young 3rd 10mm Freestyle Intermediate Boys Ikko Shibuya 1st | Sam Charles 2nd 100m Freestyle Senior Boys Adam Milne 1st | Wenxuan Lu 2nd | Nikolai Meloee 3rd 50m Backstroke Junior Girls Vienna Samuels 1st | Chelsey Whiu 2nd | Grace King 3rd 50m Backstroke Junior Boys Noah Makaea 1st | Jakob Grunwell 2nd | Yash Topiwala 3rd 50m Backstroke Intermediate Boys Ikko Shibuya 1st | Javiyah Nikoia 2nd 50m Backstroke Senior Girls Gabrielle Fa’amausili 1st | Lucy Makaea 2nd | Jackie Young 3rd 50m Backstroke Senior Boys Adam Milne 1st | Wenxuan Lu 2nd | GJ Canlapan 3rd 50m Butterfly Junior Girls Vienna Samuels 1st | Brownyn Buller 2nd | Grace King 3rd 50m Backstroke Junior Boys Noah Makaea 1st | Ritesh Hanmanthu 2nd 50m Butterfly Intermediate Girls Zoe Hanlan 1st 50m Butterfly Senior Girls Gabrielle Fa’amausili 1st | Lucy Makaea 2nd | Jackie Young 3rd 50m Butterfly Intermediate Boys Ikko Shibuya 1st | Sam Charles 2nd 50m Butterfly Senior Boys Adam Milne 1st 50m Breaststroke Junior Girls Vienna Samuels 1st | Melody Cao 2nd | Maraea Whiu 3rd 50m Breaststroke Junior Boys Noah Makaea 1st | Jakob Grunwell 2nd | Alexander Schreiner 3rd 50m Breaststroke Intermediate Girls Jordan Phillips 1st | Zoe Hanlan 2nd | Tanicke Kruger 3rd 50m Breaststroke Senior Girls Gabrielle Fa’amausili 1st | Lucy Makaea 2nd | Jackie Young 3rd 50m Breaststroke Intermediate Boys Ikko Shibuya 1st | Javiyah Nikoia 2nd | Sam Charles 3rd 50m Breaststroke Senior Boys Adam Milne 1st | Wenxuan Lu 2nd | Bhavik Patel 3rd 100m Individual Medley Junior Girls Vienna Samuels 1st | Grace King 2nd | Maraea Whiu 3rd 100m Individual Medley Senior Girls Gabrielle Fa’amausili 1st | Lucy Makaea 2nd | Jackie Young 3rd 100m Individual Medley Junior Boys Noah Makaea 1st
21
Thank you to all the parents, volunteers and staff members who have enabled our sporting programme to be so successful again.
schoolgirl rep, brought some great skills to the team during her stay at Avondale College. A number of girls have also trialled for U15 and U18 Auckland teams, and with Avondale’s strength in girls tag, touch and rugby, we look forward to the announcement of these teams in the near future. Our Premier Boys’ Rugby League team have made a solid showing in the Premier Grade competition. They have enjoyed a high level of support from the sidelines, and have been spurred on to a number of good wins. The U15 Boys have been doing particularly well, winning the majority of their round robin games, and heading towards a top placing in their Junior Premier competition. A great start in their qualifying tournament at the beginning of the year saw our Premier Boys Basketball team promoted to the Senior A division. They have gone on to beat some top teams in this very competitive division, both at home and away. Jaga Mete, Sam Scott and Jack Childs were selected for the Waitakere West Auckland U17 team, which placed 4th in New Zealand. Jaga was also selected for the NZ U17 tournament team, giving him the opportunity to participate in New Zealand basketball youth camps and representative teams. The Premier Girls basketball team are a young development team who are thriving in the competitive Premier grade. They show great enjoyment of the game as well as tremendous potential for future years.
Winter Sport
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Hundreds of Avondale College students have been braving the blustery weather to play sport for the College this winter season. We have seen some outstanding success in the season so far, and while many teams are nearing the end of their scheduled games, the focus continues with play-offs and tournaments ahead. Following their steady improvement in recent years, our boys’ 1st XI Football team have continued to make a huge impact on the Auckland Senior A1division this season. They are currently sitting in second position with five games to go, and with top goal scorer, Joao Abreu, on a total of 12 goals and counting! The team’s success has led to their selection as a wild card entry to the Lotto Premier tournament in Napier in Week 7. The Girls 1st XI have also been doing extremely well in their Senior A1 division. Despite beginning the season without a goalkeeper, two of girls have stepped in to share the role with such success that, at the end of the league competition, the team had the best defensive record and finished second in the competition! They conceded only six goals in 11 games and only lost one game, resulting in promotion to the Girls’ Premier League for next season. Our Boys 1st XI Hockey have been making their mark on the SuperCity Tier 1 competition. A highlight for them was winning the Bartholomew Cup – the schoolboy hockey equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield – after beating Mt Albert Grammar School in a close match in June. The U15 Hockey boys are also doing very well in their competition, making their way through the top teams to (currently) place second in the competition, and putting themselves in a very real contest for top position in their Junior A Grade. Based on a very successful start in the round robin competition at the beginning of the season, our girls 1st XI hockey team was promoted to the SuperCity competition in Tier 2. The highly competitive environment has given excellent development opportunities to the predominantly young team, as well as leadership opportunities for the senior girls. A number have attended U15 and U18 trials for Auckland, and we are currently awaiting the outcome of these trials. Our 1st XV rugby team includes a large number of new players from Year 12-12 with a small number of Year 13 and only three players in the starting line-up from 2016. However, while this young team brings a lack of experience to the field, they make up for any shortfall in enthusiasm and HEART values. While the season has been tough so far, including some testing weather conditions, the team has shown improvements in every game they have played. They have entered the second half of the season with the goal of winning the plate section of the pool they are currently in. Our girls’ rugby team continues to make great progress in their Premier Grade 10-aside competition, with a number of good wins. International student Ilaria Piolanti, an Italian
Paige Weir (Year 10) competed in the Cross Country Mountain Biking Cross Country Championships Series Race 1 held on Sunday 7 May where she won Gold, placing first in a very muddy Riverhead Forest with four bikes being used throughout.
With the highest number of participants, netball continues to be a huge sport at Avondale. Twelve teams are taking to the Te Pai courts on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Three girls lacrosse teams are currently competing in the Auckland competition, with our Premier Girls making a good showing in their Premier grade. The team includes several Auckland representatives, and the girls are hopeful of making it into the top four Auckland teams to be selected to the NZSS tournament. Many other students are enjoying their involvement in badminton, Ultimate Frisbee, underwater hockey, squash and more. As the third term gets underway we are looking forward to the final chapter of winter sports at Avondale, and then to the resumption of the summer codes!
DIVING
The Auckland Secondary Schools Diving Championships were held on Thursday 11 May at West Wave Aquatic where we had two students competing. Javiyah Nikoia (Year 11) won a Bronze Medal in the Intermediate Boys Division and Taiyo Kunisawa Year 9 placed 4th in the Junior Girls Division.
CYCLING
Year 9 student Holly Bliss competed in the Points Race at this year’s open Cycle Road Race for Secondary Schools held at Pukekohe Motor Racing Circuit on Sunday 14 May. Holly’s points race was held over seven of the 2.5km circuit, with points awarded to the first rider over the line at the end of laps 2, 4, 6 and 7. In a field of 40 girls, including the current national champion, a fast pace from the start saw the race split into two bunches at the end of the first sprint lap. Holly rode strongly in the front bunch of 18 girls alongside the leaders, with the fast pace continuing throughout the race. On the last lap Holly sprinted well and scored a point, which earned her 10th place overall.
After seven years of cheering on our teams, Avondale’s Director of Sport, Mr Cliff Jones is leaving to take up a position a little closer to his home. We wish him all the very best and know his familiar words will ring in our ears for a long time to come: “Avondale, enjoy your sport!”
Alumni
World Class...
Cricketer Martin Guptill – record holder for three highest ODI scores for NZ, was also awarded NZ ODI Cricketer of the Year!
Deon Rawlings (Year 12) – won two titles at Junior VNEA World Pool Junior Champs in USA in June.
Talented singer & former Head Boy Junior Soqeta joined Adele on stage in the “Skyfall” choir.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NZ REPS! Swimmer Gabrielle Fa’amausili - four New Zealand age group swimming records and four NZ age group titles. Good luck for Fina World Championships in Budapest in July! Tiffany Sua – Selection to New Zealand Lacrosse U18 Squad which competed in Australia in April. Kiera Sekene, Casey Mansson and Johreena Sekene – selected for the New Zealand Tag Football Trans-Tasman Championships team. Lucy Makaea – won seven medals at the NZ Surf Lifesaving competition, and selected for the NZ U16 Surf Lifesaving Squad. Footballer Dylan Bennett – selected for the NZ U17 team to compete in the OFC Champs 2017. Adam Milne –selected for the NZ Junior Men’s Water Polo team to compete in FINA Junior World Champs Louis Chand - Semi finalist at the Oceania Under 21 Snooker Championships 2017 Ryan Moore - 1st in Jnr Boys Sprint and 1st in Jnr Boys Long at NZSS Orienteering Champs Liam Stolberger - 3rd Int Boys Sprint and 2nd Int Boys Long at NZSS Orienteering Champs Chris Kernohan - Selected for the NZ Jnr Invitational Ministock Racing Team Daylen Meredith - Selected for U16 New Zealand Kiwi Rugby League Team Kanah Andrews-Nahu - Selected to represent New Zealand in weightlifting at the 2017 Commonwealth and Oceania Championships.
22
Farewell
23
Ethan Sorrell, currently on Scholarship to Cambridge University won a prestigious “Blue” for high jump. He’s also Captain of the Caius College football team. Alumni Robyn Lesatele and Wilberforce Tupua now 2017 Co-Presidents of the Auckland University Pacific Island Law Students Association. Former Avcol Dux 2008 Meili Han was awarded a scholarship to Harvard University. (She is our second Alumni currently on scholarship there!) Former Avondale student and commerce grad Joe Dowling – his travel photography exhibited and featured in The Listener. Athlete and New Zealand skipper Matthew Wyatt – mixing with Usain Bolt at the Nitro Athletics in March.
Key Dates 2017 TERM 3-4 TERM DATES 2017
Term One: 1 February - 13 April Term Two: 1 May - 7 July Term Three: 24 July - 29 September Term Four: 16 October - 12 December
AUGUST 2 14-19 18-25
Deans and DPs 2017
Open Evening 4-7pm KBB Music Festival SENIOR EXAMS
SEPTEMBER
To email, use three-letter teacher code@avcol.school.nz To phone: dial (09) 828 7024 followed by extension
18-23 26 29
YEAR 9 Dean: Mr Mark van Beurden VBN Ext 541 Assoc. Miss Helena Pattison PTN Ext 539 DP: Mrs Lynne van Etten VTN Ext 529
School Show: Rock of Ages Report Evening (Seniors only) End of Term 3
OCTOBER
YEAR 10
Dean: Ms Rhonda Donaldson DSN Ext 533 Assoc. Miss Ashleigh Earwaker EKR Ext 560 DP: Mrs Lyndy Watkinson WTN Ext 528
YEAR 11 Dean: Mr Pahlavi Timoteo TMO Ext 535 Assoc. Mrs Naomi Parker PRN Ext 540 DP: Dr Terry Brown BWN Ext 526
10 16 23 25-26 27
CIE exams begin Beginning of Term 4 Labour Day (Holiday) Dance Showcase Sports Awards Dinner
NOVEMBER 2 9 16
YEAR 12
Dean: Mrs Megan Miller MRM Ext 537 Assoc: Mrs P Patel PTL Ext 542 DP: Mr Phil Hill HIL Ext 527
Senior Prizegiving NCEA Exams Start Performing Arts Academy evening
DECEMBER
YEAR 13 Dean: Mr Dave Dewsnap DSP Ext 538 Assoc: Mrs Aleishia Davis DVA Ext 534 DP: Mr John Goold GLD Ext 525
12
24
Junior Prizegiving End of Term 4
Victor Street | Avondale Auckland | New Zealand
T +64 9 828 7024 admin@avcol.school.nz www.avcol.school.nz